Cranbrook Vs. Any Other School

[helec2003]

How do you compare a unique program like Cranbrook to other programs?

I am trying to decide between Cranbrook Sculpture and U of Wisconsin at Madison Sculpture/3d/4d.

Starting my pro's and con's list today, will post that when it is substantial enough.

Any discussion on this topic will help me (and hopefully others!) greatly!

good luck to everyone!

[shabu2011]

seriously, I've been mulling over pros and cons for Cranbrook for the past week. Besides amazing community and intense program, I'm weighing it over global reputation, larger student body = larger network and city size/cultural activities.

I'm running out to get some food, but will be back fore more discussion soon.

[joonam]

i believe that cranbrook doesn't have any undergrads. so you dont get to TA or teach your own class.

those things were important to me cuz i would like to teach in the future. this might not help, but thats y i didn't accept cranbrook.

[helec2003]

Thanks for the responses. I have made no progress and I feel like I am needlessly torturing myself.

So far here are my pros and cons for Cranbrook:

pros: Community, time in studio, the discourse in my dept, reputation, group crits

cons: my other choice has better facilities, no teaching experience, my other program is 3 years and I think I would prefer that, no classes, studios are closed over the summers.

I have a lot more thinking to do...

[shabu2011]

hahahah love your footnote helec "deciding is much worse" so true!!!! I'm have been needlessly torturing myself as well. Personally, after all the interviews I felt the most at home at Cranbrook, but I'm just torturing myself by rationalizing what my gut has already decided on.

@Joonam - That's a good point, and I'm glad that it is important for you.

@Helec - Here are my thoughts on your list, food for thought: The combination of 3 years and summers does seems significant - what do you intend to do in that time, have more studio time? It seems to me the summer time off is an important time to either rest or to go out and explore other opportunities like residencies simply because when school is in session it is so intense! One thing I was surprise to find out when I went there for the interviews was that even though there weren't classes was that there still is a busy schedule and everyone way surprisingly very productive! However, if you are really looking for assignments, then your point on classes is well taken - Cranbrook is intense, but you are responsible for what you come up with.

I think the discourse and group crits are indeed what makes Cranbrook valuable and what will push you, in those two years. I think you'll have to weigh and see if you will be producing better work with that extra time and better facilities.

The one factor there is no getting around is the teaching experience, as Joonam mentioned, and you simply have to decide how important that is to you. I hope that helps, feel free to respond.

[helec2003]

When I went to Wisconsin I was hoping (so that my decision would be easy) to see that everyone was too busy with classes (assignments) taships, to get into their studio, but that doesn't seem to be the case. You have to take one class outside of the dept and you have to take two art history classes - which I need more of. Other than that it's wide open. I can take an independent study with an instructor and sit in on the three classes that apply strictly to me and my projects. So the assignments are minimal.

Also - I love the ideas of residencies but I'm married and 1-2-3 months away from home could be really tough. I think I could do it once - I'd really like to go international for a summer.

So I've narrowed it down to two major factors for each school:

Wisconsin: Facilities and department philosophy (they are makers and so am I)

Cranbrook: Discourse and Community

I also want to be happy while I'm there. I loved my post bac experience and want my MFA to be similar.

Thanks for the discussion! It really helps to talk to people that are trying to make the same decisions!

hahahah love your footnote helec "deciding is much worse" so true!!!! I'm have been needlessly torturing myself as well. Personally, after all the interviews I felt the most at home at Cranbrook, but I'm just torturing myself by rationalizing what my gut has already decided on.

@Joonam - That's a good point, and I'm glad that it is important for you.

@Helec - Here are my thoughts on your list, food for thought: The combination of 3 years and summers does seems significant - what do you intend to do in that time, have more studio time? It seems to me the summer time off is an important time to either rest or to go out and explore other opportunities like residencies simply because when school is in session it is so intense! One thing I was surprise to find out when I went there for the interviews was that even though there weren't classes was that there still is a busy schedule and everyone way surprisingly very productive! However, if you are really looking for assignments, then your point on classes is well taken - Cranbrook is intense, but you are responsible for what you come up with.

I think the discourse and group crits are indeed what makes Cranbrook valuable and what will push you, in those two years. I think you'll have to weigh and see if you will be producing better work with that extra time and better facilities.

The one factor there is no getting around is the teaching experience, as Joonam mentioned, and you simply have to decide how important that is to you. I hope that helps, feel free to respond.

[shabu2011]

Great, best of luck with your final decision!

[helec2003]

congrats on your decision!! I bet it feels amazing! did they give you a deadline? Mine seems kind of loose.

Great, best of luck with your final decision!

[shabu2011]

congrats on your decision!! I bet it feels amazing! did they give you a deadline? Mine seems kind of loose.

They totally did, April 1st! haha